Description
Sloppy joes meet classic grilled cheese in this mouthwatering mashup that promises comfort and excitement on a single plate. Melted cheese, seasoned beef, and crispy bread combine to create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) tomato sauce
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Bread and Cheese:
- 8 slices sandwich bread (white, sourdough, or your choice)
- 8 slices cheddar or American cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
Instructions
- Prepare the savory beef mixture by browning ground meat in a spacious skillet over medium flame, ensuring complete cooking and eliminating excess grease.
- Introduce finely diced onions, vibrant bell peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Craft the robust sauce by incorporating tomato sauce, tangy ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, caramelized brown sugar, zesty mustard, smoky paprika, and a delicate balance of salt and pepper.
- Allow the mixture to simmer gently, letting flavors meld and sauce thicken into a rich, glossy consistency. Remove from heat and let the filling rest.
- Select hearty bread slices and generously coat one side with creamy butter, creating a golden exterior promise.
- Construct the sandwich foundation by placing a bread slice butter-side down in a preheated skillet, layering with a slice of melty cheese.
- Generously spoon the warm, seasoned beef mixture atop the cheese, creating a luxurious filling.
- Crown the creation with another cheese slice and complete the sandwich with a second buttered bread slice facing upward.
- Grill the sandwich over medium heat, transforming the exterior to a crisp, golden-brown while ensuring the cheese melts into a decadent, gooey embrace.
- Flip carefully, cooking the opposite side until equally bronzed and crisp, gently pressing with a spatula to encourage even melting.
- Transfer to a cutting board, slice diagonally, and serve immediately alongside crisp french fries or a refreshing side salad.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Pat the ground beef dry before cooking to ensure better browning and more intense flavor development.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting smoked paprika and adding a dash of hot sauce for extra kick.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils to make a vegetarian-friendly alternative that maintains the same robust taste profile.
- Use gluten-free bread for those with wheat sensitivities while keeping the core recipe intact.
- Prevent soggy bread by draining sloppy joe mixture thoroughly before adding to sandwiches.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or smoky gouda to elevate the sandwich’s flavor complexity.
- Prep ingredients in advance and store sloppy joe filling in the refrigerator for quick weeknight meals that can be assembled in minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg